The dust from Bihar’s electoral battlefield has scarcely settled, with Narendra Modi’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) romping to 202 seats and Congress limping to a mere six from 61 contested—a 9.8% strike rate that spells organisational atrophy. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, has emerged from the shadows with a meeting alongside party president Mallikarjun Kharge, decrying “vote chori” (vote theft) and an unfair poll from the outset. His 1,300km “Voter Adhikar Yatra” in August, replete with cultural nods like Bhojpuri banter and local snacks, failed to ignite; instead, it fizzled amid voter turnout of 68.5% that favoured the NDA’s jobs-and-transfers pitch. Whispers of internal discord—ignored cautions from party voices—compound the rout. Mr Gandhi’s absence as results trickled in (fuelling memes of a London escape) has drawn barbs, but the path forward demands more than deflection.
Here, five steps to staunch the bleeding and rebuild.
♦️First, embrace accountability over accusations. Mr Gandhi’s “hydrogen bomb” of electoral rigging claims detonated as a damp squib, alienating rather than mobilising. A public admission of strategic missteps—overreliance on national narratives like saving the Constitution, at the expense of local woes—would signal maturity. This echoes his post-2019 resignation candour, which briefly steadied the ship.
♦️Second, resuscitate the Bihar apparatus. The state unit, fractured and dependent on Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Yadav-Muslim core, needs a root-and-branch reform. Appoint a dedicated troubleshooter to oversee booth-level revival, drawing lessons from the NDA’s Extremely Backward Classes consolidation. With Bengal’s polls in 2026 on the horizon, Bihar could serve as a testing ground for digital voter outreach.
♦️Third, localise the message. Mr Gandhi’s yatra, while photogenic, parachuted a Delhi-centric agenda into a caste cauldron. Future campaigns must amplify regional allies like Tejashwi Yadav’s jobs focus, not overshadow them. Embed teams in key districts to tailor pledges on migration and unemployment, which swayed 36% of voters.
♦️Fourth, weld the INDIA alliance anew. The Mahagathbandhan’s collapse—RJD down to 25 seats—highlights Congress as the weak link. Convene a summit by year-end to enforce seat-sharing protocols and a unified manifesto on caste census and welfare. Without it, fractious “friendly fights” will recur.
♦️Fifth, leverage Parliament while reclaiming the streets. As winter session looms, grill the government on electoral integrity—but pair it with grassroots yatras targeting youth (20% unemployment) and women. Rope in sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for broader appeal, mirroring her Uttar Pradesh inroads.
Mr Gandhi’s record—relentless defeats since 2009—invites scepticism. Yet the 2024 Lok Sabha gains show revival is possible. Bihar’s verdict is a wake-up call: in India’s federal fray, dynastic charisma alone won’t suffice. Delivery must match the drama.
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